Chateau Marquis de Terme

History

Ownership in the Médoc has changed frequently. However, this has not been the case with Château Marquis de Terme. The Sénéclauze family has owned this property for four generations, and the current generation, represented by Paloma Sénéclauze, manages it. In 1855, this estate was classified as Fourth Growth within the Margaux appellation. It is noteworthy that the layout of this property has remained virtually unchanged since then. The layout of the land parcels remains essentially the same today as it was when the estate was classified, which is rare in this region where estates have been exchanged, sold, and absorbed into one another for over a century. The most significant recent development has been opening the estate to the public, rather than a change in ownership. Château Marquis de Terme currently operates five guest rooms within the castle, along with a restaurant born from the shared belief of  the Sénéclauze family that wine is best appreciated at the table, and a reception area at Maison de l'Estonnat welcomes visitors, serving as the starting point for tours and tastings. Furthermore, in the vineyards, a long-term project called Marquis de Terme 2035 is underway, led by Technical Director Sébastien Esquerre with the support of Paloma Sénéclauze. The goal is to restructure the vineyards by plot, that is, to enhance consistency across vintages by achieving the optimal match between grape varieties and soil. This process is by no means a quick one, but that is precisely the point.

45 hectares, three plateaus

The Château Marquis de Terme Farm cultivates 45 hectares of land spread across three major plateaus in the municipalities of Margaux and Cantenac. Consequently, rather than a single contiguous plot, the land consists of several scattered parcels, each with its own distinct characteristics.

Rather than being a source of inconvenience, this dispersed structure is considered a valuable asset. Each plot has its own unique rhythm, ripening according to its own schedule and producing fruit of a different character. The vineyard management team manages each plot individually rather than averaging everything out.

The terrain itself was shaped by the Quaternary Ice Age, and the gravel deposited during that period defines the characteristics of the Margaux appellation. Cadastral and soil-based parcel mapping plays a key role in planning replanting for this vineyard.

The terroir

If you take a closer look at the Marquis de Terme vineyard, you'll see three distinct layers, each serving a different purpose. On the surface is a deep layer of gravel interspersed with quartz and quartzite; beneath that lies a layer of clay; and the subsoil consists of limestone.

Each layer plays its own role. The gravel concentrates the aromas and provides excellent drainage. The clay naturally regulates water, which is particularly important during severe droughts, and is also known to bring out mineral notes. The limestone imparts a salty, firm texture that is evident throughout the wine.

The roots of the vines here extend to a depth of up to 6 meters, allowing the vines to absorb nutrients without stress even during the hot summer months. And it is precisely thanks to these geological conditions that this winery can boast a consistent house signature. This signature style consists of bright fruit aromas and floral notes of violets and peonies, underpinned by hints of graphite and minerals. This is not a style intentionally chosen by the winery, it is simply what the soil expresses.

The grapes

Château Marquis de Terme is based primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot as its main partner, and a small amount of Petit Verdot is blended in to add flavor and vibrancy. While the exact blending ratios vary by vintage, recent Grand Vin blends have generally followed these proportions:

• Cabernet Sauvignon: approximately 60-64%
• Merlot: approximately 31-35%
• Petit Verdot: consistently 5%

On paper, the proportion of Petit Verdot may seem negligible. However, since this component adds a deep spiciness and creates a robust finish in the Margaux blend, the winery consistently includes it in the blend every year rather than treating it as an optional ingredient.

Winemaking

Château Marquis de Terme's philosophy is that wine is not made but rather revealed. In practice, this means resisting the temptation to impose a specific style on the fruit and instead allowing the inherent characteristics of each vineyard to emerge, then blending the wines based on those characteristics. The winery believes that wine enters a new phase through the blending and aging processes. The Grand Vin is aged in oak barrels, and the purpose of this period is not to overlay toasty notes on the fruit aromas, but to strengthen the wine's structure and harmony. The result is a silky-smooth tannin structure, aromas of black fruit, flowers, and spices, and a long finish with a graphite-like edge that ties all the elements together. In terms of viticulture, the winery quite firmly states that it prioritizes common sense over slogans. In other words, it observes, understands, and makes decisions without being bound by dogma or trends. This is supported by three complementary environmental certifications, including High Environmental Value (HVE) Level 4. Employee well-being is presented not as a separate item to be checked off, but as part of the bigger picture.

The wines

The winery's flagship wine is the Grand Vin Château Marquis de Terme, a Margaux Grand Cru Classé named after the winery itself. Centered around Cabernet, these wines are crafted for long-term aging and most clearly showcase the characteristics of the gravelly soil in the vineyard.

In addition, the winery produces other wines in the Cuvée series, Cuvée 1762 and L'Empreinte, which, although sourced from the same vineyard, are presented not as mere second labels but as wines with their own distinct personalities.

The winery's distinctive characteristics are clearly evident in all these wines: notes of graphite and salt, concentrated yet vibrant fruit flavors, and a refreshing finish.